Where You Are Fitness: A Support Group for Health and Wellness

The ideas and language in this post belong to Matt Cogswell. They reflect work he did within some of his doctoral classes and operate as talking points for later development and collaboration. 

Return to Collaborative Space Activity

Time:

before any official work tasks (Best to share in advance that this will be the first activity upon return as a team)

Environment:

a community table with just enough chairs for participants plus a facilitator.

An enclosed space with natural lighting

If outside participants are involved, allow Zoom/other access to all, even if present, so everyone can see each other.

Materials:

Small sketchbooks or stacks of paper (colored, if possible), approximately 5 per person. Crayons, colored pencils, markers. [Send a creativity pack to those off-site?]

Facilitator talking points:

This is not a work task. It is an activity we’re going to work on as a team. It is meant to be fun, even if some moments don’t feel that way. You are encouraged but not required to share the products that will come from this activity later on during the activity.

Prompt participants to write ‘Return to a Work Space’ in the middle of a sheet of paper. That’s all they will write on this first step. Encourage participants to close their eyes.

“I want to guide you through a simple breathing activity. I’m going to say the alphabet, slowly. When you hear me say a letter, breathe in.” [For this to be effective, the facilitator actually says the letter on a long exhale so each letter lasts about 2-3 seconds.] Go through alphabet. Do not rush.

Writing, Part 1. Emphasizing the use of words and phrases only [no full sentences], have them spiderweb (move out from center) thoughts they have about the prompt before them [Return to a Work Space].

Set a non-intrusive timer for 3-5 minutes. Aim for 3, but if they seem to still be producing, aim for 5. Do not exceed 5 minutes. Do not share or discuss. Have them put the writing out of sight for now.

On a fresh page and with a change of writing implement, it is time to draw. Encourage non-dominant hand because it is not about a perfect product. Encourage drawing, scribbling, with eyes closed to discourage judgment. Do not rush or force this step. People need to buy into it for it to be effective. Set the timer for 3-5 minutes. Do not exceed 5. Do not share or discuss (as above).

Have participants look at what they drew. Remind them what it’s like to stare at the clouds. Encourage them to look for patterns in the drawing. Still, they should not share or discuss.

Next step: brainwriting. Ensure they have materials to write. Have participants individually go somewhere else they won’t be disturbed to do some brainwriting. (Alternatively, position them so they can’t see each other.) Their only prompt: write about their ‘challenge’ of returning to a collaborative space. Give them a return time of 20-30 minutes.

Upon return – intentional share. Reinforce safety of sharing. Validate feelings. Allow conversations to go where they go. This needs to be expressed. Have everyone share their writings. Do not discuss until all participants have shared. Facilitator will provide feedback on some ideas they ‘heard,’ reinforcing validity of activity.

Allow as much time as needed. When conversation begins to diminish, a return to drawing!

Task: Eyes wide open, create a drawing/visual/shapes with no specific prompt other than to have fun with this as well. Reinforce it should have nothing to do with the ‘challenge.’ This product should be kept in their main work space as a reminder that it’s okay to have fun at work.

Closing: dealer’s choice, of course, but preview of some ideas of program being referenced here will build that connection (priming.)

 

Across All Six Weeks

Although these ideas are written for in-person collaboration, they should be transferrable and adapted to virtual participants.

T: Thinkertoys            I: The Idea Agent

A.    Creative Collage (T355) – In advance of beginning the program, establish a space where a large creative collage can be placed and can be accessed regularly. Provide a lot of space (wall) but establish a clear boundary within which the work must be placed. You may want to invest in several posterboards or reams of art paper to designate this space.

To introduce this long-term project, the facilitator should place a single image (magazine cut-out, newspaper headline, computer print-out, random small object) somewhere in the space. Encourage participants to add to this with interesting images. Personal pictures may be added, with the understanding that people can reclaim images at the end of the program. However, this should be mostly non-personal images.

Materials: the foundational posterboards/art paper, glue sticks, or scotch tape dispensers left in the accessible space

No clear goal. See where it goes. Its purpose is to just be (and perhaps to see how as a group an amazing product was created).

B.    Image Only Text or Email Chain (inspired by Thought Walk, T357) – Early in the program or even earlier to build excitement, find which idea people prefer, and create a “group chat” that does not feature conversation. It is about the bonding and fun in wondering why people chose the photos they did. Do not discuss within the conversation! These pictures can be what people found interesting in the Thought Walk or just found randomly throughout the day.

 

C.    “Everyone’s a consultant.” (T300) – In Week 1, set up the idea that everyone has valuable ideas. Once the participants get into the groove of thinking about physical health, mental health, and creativity, they can share what they have tried since the last time they met. This can be a great way to begin weekly meetings!

 

D.    Thought Walk (T357) – Set a goal for a weekly Thought Walk (bring something to record ideas and images). Encourage participants to stop and take photos or jot down ideas as they emerge during a walk. Allow time after the Thought Walk to share ideas with one another. Encourage partners where possible for spontaneous conversations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suggested Weekly Team Activities

 

Week 1

 

Top 10 (I-155)

 

Materials: Post-It notes and writing implements (think beyond pens!)

 

Facilitator prompts participants to write three responses (one per sticky note) to the following questions. Encourage participants to not overthink responses.

 

·       What are the best tasting junk foods? [Ask. Have them each produce three ideas. Repeat for following questions.]

·       What are the best tasting health foods?

·       What are the worst exercise ideas? [What do they think is just awful?]

·       What are the best exercise ideas?

·       What were the worst creative ideas? [Frame ideas as what has been created or what is/was in fashion]

·       What were the best creative ideas?

The fun part! As a team, they have to rank order their ideas as a group. It will be messy and so much fun.

False Faces (T45)

Materials: whiteboard or similar product and related writing implement

Brainstorm ideas about assumptions they or other people hold about 1) physical health, 2) mental health, and 3) creativity.

Chart the ideas on a whiteboard or similar product.

After ideas are exhausted, discuss which ideas they feel are valid and truthful and which ideas can be reversed.

Week 2

 

Tug-of-War (T112)

 

Materials: something to write on and with per person

 

The essence of the Tug-of-War technique is to consider the best-case and worst-case scenarios in a situation. Since we are combining physical and mental health with creativity, this task asks participants to create a list of ideas for both ends of the spectrum. (Note: Tug-of-War focuses on physical health, and The Dream Trip focuses on mental health.)

 

I recommend doing the worst-case scenario first. In terms of physical health, what is the worst physical plan (e.g., eat excessive pizzas every day)? I found it helpful to exaggerate habits I have. List all the worst ideas. Then have them list the best-case scenario (walking or working out every day, e.g.). Ask for volunteers to share ideas!

 

The Dream Trip (I-122) – It may be wise to implement some meditative practice here before prompting this drawing activity.

 

Materials: drawing implements and paper

            Verbal Prompts: Imagine where you will be in five weeks. How do you feel? How do you look? How do you behave? What do you see around you? What has changed?

            Provide paper and drawing implements. Have participants draw or sketch an image of what their life looks like ‘now.’ Have participants share their image!

Week 3

Allow Me to Introduce (I-170)

This is partner work. Pair people together to share two topics: a physical story and a creativity story. Attempt only one at a time. Participants will share the other person’s story with the group.

Physical – one participant tells any brief story (shorter than five minutes) connected to physical life (playing sports as a child, a traumatic gym class experience [just me?]); the partner listens

Second participant shares their story with the other.

Bring the stories back to the group, with the partners telling their partner’s story.

Depending on energy at this point, decide if you want to take on the second suggestion.

Repeat the process for a creativity story. Share how they think they are creative or what creative activities they enjoy.

Bring the stories back to the group.

The goal is to not be perfect in recall or speak for the other, but to share what they remember from their partner’s story. [The second pairing could always be placed somewhere else during the duration of the program.]

Visual Confetti (I-126)

Facilitator Preparation: Consult a website such as https://randompicturegenerator.com. This is an impromptu speaking activity. Show your participants one of the random pictures. Their goal is to tell a story about the photo as if they took it! It would prime the activity for the facilitator to be brave and tell the first story. There does not need to be any time minimum or limit; read the room and “as soon as you notice they’re getting a bit passive, it’s time to change image” (and participant). After the activity, see what connections participants make to mental health, physical health, or creativity.

Week 4

Slice and Dice (T55)

Materials: Paper easels or taped paper to wall, writing implements [maybe crayons stripped of their wrapper]

The essence of this activity is to solicit steps (slices) participants can take to improve the areas of focus described below. The four topics for this activity are Nutrition, Movement, Mental Health, and Sleep. Prepare four areas in a room with one topic listed on a posterboard or easel page.

Suggested prompt: What small steps (slices) can you take to improve each of these areas?

Have participants rotate around the four topics. Provide one idea (“a tip”) for the topic (e.g., drink water for Nutrition). Return to the topic area (with new ideas from others) and keep adding to the page until it feels “complete.”

After the rounds, the facilitator will read out and reinforce suggested topics. Ask if there are any additional ideas. Record as necessary. Move on.

Lotus Blossom (T133)

This activity is similar to Slice and Dice and can follow the same basic format as above. In this activity, participants write suggestions for ways to improve their flexibility, cardio activity, and strength. Follow the procedure as above.

[Note: Keep this material to help with Week 5.]

Week 5

Cherry Split (T61)

Materials: Individual writing tools

This is a return to individual work that can be done in a group setting. It provides more specific focus for participants’ individual journeys. Remind them of Week 4’s group activities. Better yet, show them!

With the categories of Nutrition, Movement, Mental Health, Sleep, Flexibility, Cardio, Strength in view, ask participants to write their own private goals. They can write/present those ideas in any fashion they wish, but allow them time to create personal small goals. Emphasize they do not need to implement these goals; instead allow them to incubate. This work is enough.

 

 

Baby Pictures (T299)

Continuing the theme of private (non-shared) activities, introduce this suggestion. Participants should locate several photos of themselves over the years. Have them set aside a time (even during work hours!) just to sit with the photos and think about those moments.

Facilitator prompt: What comes up? What connections can be made to your own journeys? What brings you joy? What makes you uncomfortable about this task? They do not (should not) share this work. This may potentially be the most impactful event, but it is important to go through before the final week.

Week 6

Hall of Fame (T170)/ Forced Combinations (T-114)

Materials: research device (phone) per participant, space and materials for facilitator to record words and then larger dedicated writing space to connecting the ideas (described below)

This is a collaborative activity. As The Thinkertoys book suggests, have participants share two or three favorite thought leaders or public figures (Hall of Fame). These should be people they do not know personally. Allow participants to share why they chose those people. Then allow participants some research time. They should find quotes attributed to that person and choose/record their favorite quote (one per public figure). For ease of group, participants can read out their quote in its entirety. But, they are then tasked to choose their favorite word from the quote.

The facilitator should record those three words per participant. Those collected words should then be put on a large surface that can be written upon. The words should be separated in a frame with some words on top and some words on the bottom. The Forced Combinations come into play here. Connect two separate words with any connection that can be made. Prime participants to consider creativity and physical and mental health as a frame for the forced combinations. Again, it’s the activity that matters. But, ask participants to share insights from the activity.

Future Fruit (T150)

This is a solo work activity. Hopefully it will naturally incorporate some of the ideas from the weeks, but that should not be enforced. Find some examples of vision boards (a Google search provides surprising results) and encourage participants to create their own vision board and perhaps share at a later gathering after the program!